The inaugural Giro di San Diego Gran Fondo, a two-day bike festival, will take place in Solana Beach Sept. 15 and 16. The festival, organized by GranFondo Cycling Tours aims to “bring the heart and passion of Italian cycling to San Diego.” Events will be available for all levels of riders, recreational to professional, with 106, 65, 35 mile road routes and a 10 to 30 mile mountain bike route. In a press release, GranFondo Cycling Tours said the festival will have, “… great roads, well stocked rest stops, post ride massage, great beer, gourmet Italian lunch and more.”
Solana Beach Mayor Joe Kellejian, Deputy Mayor Dave Roberts and Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce community events chairman, Daniel Powell will be leading the ride together on a bicycle built for three. Dave Roberts, 2012 San Diego County Supervisor candidate, has been selected to be the grand marshal of this event as he is a champion of San Diego County foster care and adoption. Roberts and his family have personally adopted five foster children of his own from San Diego County over the last two decades and is active in the North County Adoptive Parents Association.
The Giro di San Diego benefits two charities: The Rivers of Hope Foundation, which supports San Diego Foster Care and Adoption programs, and USO San Diego.
Saturday’s events include: The Giro di San Diego bike festival and fitness expo; Taste of Solana Beach – gourmet restaurant walk and The San Diego Heart Galley display, featuring pictures of San Diego foster children, waiting for their forever family.
The bike events start Sunday at 7 a.m. at San Dieguito Park for the road bike routes. The quest-themed mountain bike ride starts at 9 a.m. at the Del Dios Community Park in Escondido.
For more information visit GirodiSanDiego.com and TasteofSolanaBeach.com v
